Moscow: Russia claimed on Monday that the UK is planning a false flag incident involving Russia's 'shadow fleet' - sea vessels allegedly used to skirt oil sanctions on Moscow - alleging that the plan aims to use media coverage to pressure the US to take secondary sanctions on Moscow's energy partners.
According to Anadolu Agency, a statement by Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) claimed that British intelligence services, with the involvement of NATO allies, is planning such a step, which it argued 'provides for the mounting of major sabotage, with resulting damage making it possible to declare the transportation of Russian oil a threat to all international shipping.'
The statement suggested that such actions would allow the West to take measures against Russia, potentially leading to the detention of 'suspicious' vessels in international waters and escorting them to NATO state ports. It further outlined two scenarios allegedly being considered by the UK. The first involves 'staging an accident' with an oil tanker in a narrow maritime passage, setting a precedent for an 'emergency inspection' of the vessel.
The second scenario described by the SVR involves 'setting fire to a tanker during loading in a port in a state friendly to Russia,' necessitating an international investigation that could place responsibility on either Russia or Ukraine.
The statement also claimed that the UK aims to time the incident to maximize media impact, thereby pressuring the US to impose secondary sanctions on Russia's energy partners. British authorities have not immediately commented on these claims.
This development comes just days before a 10-day deadline set by US President Donald Trump for Russia to reach a ceasefire deal with Ukraine, which is set to expire this Friday. In June, Trump had given Russia a 50-day window to negotiate with Kyiv, threatening import duties of up to 100% on Russia and its trading partners if an agreement wasn't reached. On July 29, Trump shortened this deadline to 10 days, citing his "disappointment" with the lack of progress.